Although riding with bit contact and learning to do so well IS not only an important part of our development as riders/trainers, AND our performance horse’s education, unfortunately it’s all too common for our horse’s athletic abilities to be DEPENDENT on that contact.

I had some first hand experience with this recently as I set out to master BRIDLELESS flying lead changes with my barrel horse.

Although I’d had quick and easy success with flying lead changes with other horses in the past, performing them with him initially had been a challenge for us both.

Eventually we mastered flying changes, and he’s been going beautifully bridleless, so I didn’t quite expect that combining the two would be so difficult.

BUT, where there is challenge, there is change, and I was committed to persevering through what it would take to achieve my goal, having faith that there would be some valuable lessons on the other side.

What I realized right off the bat, was that when I didn’t gather Pistol up with the reins and support his collected frame with my hands, his body “fell flat,” and all hopes of performing bridleless flying changes fell with it.

It became obvious very quickly that in order for my goal to become a reality, I needed to teach him to hold HIMSELF in good form independent of rein contact; basically “hands free collection” – in other words, the beginning of self-carriage.

I can assure you it’s not as easy as it sounds!

Reaching our goal was even more challenging for a barrel horse who doesn’t seem to have high aptitude for flying changes, OR a desire to do much of anything on his own (Pistol is what I call “an energy conservationist”).

My seat controls his hind legs.

BUT, we did it, and today I’ll be sharing HOW and WHY it can greatly enhance the development and success of any barrel horse.

First, on the subject of hands, I’ll say that it’s very common for riders to use them too much and their legs and body language not enough. We’re a very hand oriented species after all – it’s not like we wash dishes with our feet or drive a car with our seat – we do it all with our HANDS! So it’s natural to want to use them primarily to ride a horse, and it’s no wonder we tend to micromanage horses with our hands.

The big benefit of educating our horses to respond to our legs, seat, focus and general body language better, is that we create more opportunity for refinement. In doing so, not only do we ensure that we’ll never “run out of bit,” but beyond that we also ensure that everything communicated through the reins will have even more meaning – essentially enabling us to do more with less.

The problem I ran into was that Pistol was depending on light rein contact to shape his body vertically/latitudinally, meaning to lift his back and become more round over the top line, which enables him to reach deep underneath himself and transfer more weight to the hindquarters.

These characteristics of quality movement are not just critical for barrel horses, but they were also necessary for Pistol to successfully perform a smooth, clean, lead change. I had to train him to carry them out himself independently without help from my hands if we were to master bridleless flying changes.

You can imagine that once a horse becomes empowered to take responsibility for proper SHAPE in general, that doing so on the pattern (where all the same qualities are necessary for power and quickness) becomes a lot easier as well!

Now the reason more of us don’t make runs without headgear is that the precise footfall, timing, and body positioning necessary at top speed to make a winning run IS legitimately challenging for horses (and riders). Headgear and certain bits are tools that help us and our horses with precise positioning and placement. They are essentially the icing on the cake, or more accurately – the tools that allows us to put the final icing on the cake. With communication through bit/rein contact we can create body shape that would be awfully hard for most of us (and most horses) to have without it.

In a RUN, it’s also logical to use our hands as a primary mode of communication because we tend to be faster with our hands than our legs for example. This reminds me of what my team roper husband shared about getting ready in the roping box – you don’t sit there with a big belly of slack in the rein, then kick your horse to go when the steer leaves the chute. Instead, you gather your horse up and hold him with a little contact so he’s poised and ready, then you just move your hand forward (which is much faster than kicking) and BOOM, you’re in position to stick your loop on an ornery Corriente!

So again, in a sense, it’s possible to do higher level things, faster, with contact, that would be really hard, if not almost impossible in some cases, without contact… but as I’ve said – the more we can develop our horses to not rely so much on this contact, the better off we’ll be.

Now, when it comes to the type and amount of contact – I’m not talking about hard, high pressure, mouth gaping contact. There is actually responsibility and FREEDOM that lies within the contact I have in mind to help enhance my horse’s athleticism. I suppose you could call it “feel.”

When it comes to the ideal amount of contact, there CAN still be be a little slack in the rein because a well-developed horse can follow a feel that subtle, BUT they are also often responding in combination with other forms of communication, like the life in our body, etc. If we do our job to develop our own skills so we can then develop our horses, there’s really no need for a barrel horse to be bound up tightly with mechanical means, and pulled on firmly to put a run together.

Horses that “must” be pulled hard or bound tightly to make a run, are quite simply NOT honoring their responsibilities (maintain direction, gait and shape) on the pattern, which all traces back to a human that has not taken responsibility to teach the horse theirs.

It’s not just ugly, it’s also not very effective, consistently successful, or fast either!

So by diving deep into all this bridleless riding, it’s not that I aspire or expect to do everything without any contact. After all, contact is an important part of teaching our horse’s to perform without it, and it’s how we can enhance what we have developed. YET the less dependent we are on it, the more meaning contact has, and the more our horse can do on their own.

Maintain DIRECTION, maintain GAIT, then maintain SHAPE.

For example – when your horse can maintain really great quality movement in a run under normal circumstances (they can transfer weight to the hind end to prepare for the turn, hold their bodies balanced in four wheel drive, etc.), then when you DO have a challenging angle to the first barrel or bad ground for example, you’re still likely to come out in relatively good shape (as determined by the clock), because the subtle help you offer (with contact) will have more meaning.

When your horse DEPENDS on contact just to put together a decent run under average circumstances, chances are that things will fall apart under more challenging conditions. Chances are that your “help” won’t have enough meaning to pull off a decent run.

For example, if you only need a tiny bit of fingertip contact in perfect conditions, then in less than ideal circumstances, you’ll just need a little more – and it will be there, because your horse has a firm education and foundational understanding to take responsibility for direction, gait, and especially shape – all by default.

How many times have we needed to make a split second adjustment in a run, and whoops – our horse ignores our request by a narrow margin and the delay costs us a check. Truth be told, our timing, and our horse’s timing has to be so instant – that means NO resistance, it means they must be responsible for their job, all while still being open to receiving guidance in a split second.

Basically, we have to build up our horse’s foundation so firm, that any guidance (contact) we offer them enhances what is already really good as it stands alone, but we don’t depend on it (contact) to try to create something that isn’t good enough to start with.

When we come into a turn and offer subtle, guiding contact without pulling, but by being right there with a little bit of feel, then we’re prepared to engage the bit quickly IF needed, but we can still stay out of our horse’s way and let him work at the same time.

If you’ve been running barrels long enough, you very well know – it’s easier said than done (but still worthwhile to work toward)!

Not only can this kind of “feel” be challenging to master in a run, but so is knowing what kind and how much contact each individual horse prefers. This is where we get into the details of bit selection to enhance performance based on our horse’s needs (and ours).

Dot Com for example, even though he’s very sensitive, due to his insecurity, prefers and works best with some hand holding (contact). But here’s the thing though – my goal is still always to develop my horses so well that they don’t necessarily NEED it, but that it supports and enhances their ability to perform.

My barrel horse gelding Pistol, doesn’t want much contact. In fact, he’s so confident that he resents it a little bit. This doesn’t mean that I haven’t educated him to learn to receive guidance softly and quickly in a run if I offer it, but it does mean that he generally prefers less handling – and I acknowledge and have reverence for that.

When the horse knows it’s his responsibility to maintain gait, direction and proper shape, he’ll just DO IT, and any contact/support we offer will just be subtle, but delicious icing on the cake – those little adjustments we make to WIN!

The more you can do with less, the more you can do.

Of course, there is a lot of education that must take place before we can unsnap all the tie downs and toss our bridles over the fence (don’t do so without plenty of prior, proper, preparation)!

What if comes down to is that if you want to advance your horsemanship, mastering the development (training, not just executing) of flying lead changes on a variety of horses will provide a huge learning experience that has the power to benefit any barrel racer.

You could say I had already “mastered flying changes” on Pistol a few years ago, with a bridle and contact anyway.

So what did it take to do that? In summary…

I had to teach him to lope strong and elevated with more weight concentrated on his hind end.

I had to really refine his lateral (forward + sideways) movement off my leg so that he could do so easily even at a lope.

I had to sharpen up his responsiveness – I practiced switching from a left leg yield to a right leg yield back and forth very quickly.

With Dot Com, mastering flying changes at liberty was one of our greatest challenges because it required speed and precision, quick timing and responsiveness all while he stayed physically and mentally connected to me without any actual physical connection (very difficult for such an emotionally sensitive horse and a person with a tendency to add too much pressure).

I feel like I had to become a WHOLE NEW PERSON to create Dot Com’s flying changes at liberty!

Flying changes from the saddle without any headgear proved to be a challenge in the same kind of way, it required…

That Pistol fully understand that leg pressure does not always mean GO, to make NO assumptions!

He had to learn to carry his frame even better, and do so on his own, with nice vertical/latitudinal shape and weight on the hindquarters without any rein contact (I went back and forth to the bridle, on and off repeatedly with lots of transitions from lope to back up, lope to back up, etc. to accomplish this).

He needed to become more emotionally balanced. Doing anything very quickly (like a lead change – NOW!) caused him a bit of anxiety. Only when he could be super quick and responsive without any tension did a bridleless lead change become possible (again lots of lateral work with and without the bridle to build up to a shift in weight and a split second response to my seat and leg cues).

Maintaining quality, correct form in a run with only subtle, soft contact is no small feat, especially considering that when a horse gallops, most of their weight is on the front end.

But when the quality form is there, things like tipped barrels, leaning, dropped shoulders, hind end disengagement, hang ups and delays, slow turns, etc. become a thing of the past.

I’m confident that when I return to competing with Pistol that he’ll be able to take even more responsibility for maintaining good form on the pattern thanks to the new found skill I’ve developed, AND the new found responsibility for SHAPE he’s acquired – with no strings attached!

The more a horse learns to move with quality independent of “support” from our hands in general, the more they’ll be prepared to do so even under challenging circumstances, and even at high speed – where any assistance we do offer is likely to be met with an even quicker response.

There’s no doubt that the more we can do with less – the MORE WE (and our horses) CAN DO!

So is there room to improve your horse’s ability to take responsibility for SHAPE?

I love hearing about your training adventures (and mishaps) with your two horses. They are so similar to my own mares and I love hearing how you have to go from “Get Moving!” with Pistol to “Calm Down” with Dot Com. It really helps me know that I am not the only one who is crazy enough to have two COMPLETELY different horses and who has the same type of things to work on as I do.

Ha ha, yes there is never a dull moment with two polar opposite horses. It makes things challenging at times, but also offers a lot of opportunity for learning through comparison, essentially making us better horsemen in the process! 😉

That sounds a lot like my mare, she seems to be in her own world sometimes. I took her off the pattern because I have a hard time keeping gate with her, she likes to go faster without me asking, especially at the lope! If I take her in a smaller circle she tends to get more anxiety and doesn’t want to stay in the circle, basically getting flat and wont bend at the ribcage. Any ideas? Also, going into the circle there is quite a bit of delay. What is the correct way to ask for a circle? I may be asking incorrectly!

Something to think about Shelby is that body shape is a secondary concern to emotional issues… we’ll never have the posture and positioning we need if there is anxiety, tension or tightness in the body, OR impulsiveness (they want to go faster than we want). I think this post might offer some more insights -> STOP Enabling Your HOT Barrel Horse and START Empowering!

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Barrel Racing Exercises

Results

“I’m sure you hear this all the time but you have no idea how much your book has helped me and my horse already! I found myself doubting my ability but your book has helped me and my horse get back on track. Thank you so much!” – Linda H.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:04:03+00:00

“I’m sure you hear this all the time but you have no idea how much your book has helped me and my horse already! I found myself doubting my ability but your book has helped me and my horse get back on track. Thank you so much!” – Linda H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15873/

“This book is very beneficial for both the beginner, as well as the advanced rider. I enjoyed detailed explanation of the why, when, and how. Beautiful... ”- Cindy R.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:04:30+00:00

“This book is very beneficial for both the beginner, as well as the advanced rider. I enjoyed detailed explanation of the why, when, and how. Beautiful... ” - Cindy R.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15875/

“This book is so great. I love Heather and the way she works with horses... This book just demonstrates how to do drills and really all there is. I loooove... ” - Lesley J.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:05:00+00:00

“This book is so great. I love Heather and the way she works with horses... This book just demonstrates how to do drills and really all there is. I loooove... ” - Lesley J.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15877/

“This is just as good as The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises! I have flags for references throughout the book. I recommend it to anyone who is serious...”- Vickie N.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:05:32+00:00

“This is just as good as The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises! I have flags for references throughout the book. I recommend it to anyone who is serious...” - Vickie N.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15879/

“I just finished, and once again I would like to commend you on bringing many concepts to the table that aren’t in any of the other books on our sport. These are crucial to our success and will define our lives – both in and out of the arena. Thanks again.” – Sharyl N.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:06:29+00:00

“I just finished, and once again I would like to commend you on bringing many concepts to the table that aren’t in any of the other books on our sport. These are crucial to our success and will define our lives – both in and out of the arena. Thanks again.” – Sharyl N.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15883/

"My dream is like many of your readers, the NFR. It has been in my sight since I was a little girl and your book has helped me so much! My horses are working great now!” – Stephanie H.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:06:57+00:00

"My dream is like many of your readers, the NFR. It has been in my sight since I was a little girl and your book has helped me so much! My horses are working great now!” – Stephanie H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15885/

"With everything that I learned from your book we performed the BEST run we have EVER, EVER, EVER had!! I had goosebumps from head to toe and was brimming with confidence!!!" - Ruby H.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:07:26+00:00

"With everything that I learned from your book we performed the BEST run we have EVER, EVER, EVER had!! I had goosebumps from head to toe and was brimming with confidence!!!" - Ruby H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15887/

"I just got your book today, and I have already tore through the first chapter. WOW!!! I am so glad I got this book, it is really an eye opener." - Andriea K.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:07:49+00:00

"I just got your book today, and I have already tore through the first chapter. WOW!!! I am so glad I got this book, it is really an eye opener." - Andriea K.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15889/

"With everything that I have learned we performed the BEST run we have EVER, EVER, EVER had on Saturday!! I had goose bumps from head to toe and was brimming with confidence! I now have a horse running 1D times and have now performed the best run I have ever done on her." – Ruby H.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:40:15+00:00

"With everything that I have learned we performed the BEST run we have EVER, EVER, EVER had on Saturday!! I had goose bumps from head to toe and was brimming with confidence! I now have a horse running 1D times and have now performed the best run I have ever done on her." – Ruby H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16941/

“I’m learning to be one with my horse in a run instead of just running him. He was barely getting by with no effort because he had no bond and no reason to want to please. Since I have implemented your suggestions he is already trying to please me, not just go through the motions.” – Autumn W.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:40:49+00:00

“I’m learning to be one with my horse in a run instead of just running him. He was barely getting by with no effort because he had no bond and no reason to want to please. Since I have implemented your suggestions he is already trying to please me, not just go through the motions.” – Autumn W.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16944/

"I had the BEST time this weekend with my horses. I actually came out of the arena after our run with a smile on my face and the first words out of my mouth were “that was fun,” and had compliments from several friends and a notable trainer in our area." – Kim M.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:42:45+00:00

"I had the BEST time this weekend with my horses. I actually came out of the arena after our run with a smile on my face and the first words out of my mouth were “that was fun,” and had compliments from several friends and a notable trainer in our area." – Kim M.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16946/

"He worked GREAT Friday night, I could feel the snap coming back in his turns… we were both so much more focused and he felt ready to work. We were 4/10ths faster… I was SO proud of him." - Kim M.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:43:29+00:00

"He worked GREAT Friday night, I could feel the snap coming back in his turns… we were both so much more focused and he felt ready to work. We were 4/10ths faster… I was SO proud of him." - Kim M.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16948/

"My mare warmed up super and didn’t have any gate/alleyway issues. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for your time, insight and help. So much to be grateful and blessed about in such a short time." - Kim M.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:43:56+00:00

"My mare warmed up super and didn’t have any gate/alleyway issues. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU for your time, insight and help. So much to be grateful and blessed about in such a short time." - Kim M.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16950/

"There was no pulling, leaning on my hand or attempting to run past the barrel! She was so sooo responsive, thank you heaps for your help!" - Ruby H.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:46:43+00:00

"There was no pulling, leaning on my hand or attempting to run past the barrel! She was so sooo responsive, thank you heaps for your help!" - Ruby H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16954/

"Wow! What a difference. I had a plan going in that I was going to concentrate on getting my mare focused and keep her feet moving. She didn’t seem so nervous either… I didn’t have to check her going into the first, she also got herself in line for the second. I’m very happy. Thanks for all of your coaching. I will continue to use the strategies!" – Betsy N.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:47:49+00:00

"Wow! What a difference. I had a plan going in that I was going to concentrate on getting my mare focused and keep her feet moving. She didn’t seem so nervous either… I didn’t have to check her going into the first, she also got herself in line for the second. I’m very happy. Thanks for all of your coaching. I will continue to use the strategies!" – Betsy N.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16956/

"I had a GREAT run tonight! All I did was stay off her head and use my body more to rate and turn as you suggested. I think that was my biggest problem and was why you noticed the hesitation she had before the turns. I really felt a difference in her turns as they felt more fluid and not so choppy. Thanks again for all the help!" – Evelyn P.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:48:25+00:00

"I had a GREAT run tonight! All I did was stay off her head and use my body more to rate and turn as you suggested. I think that was my biggest problem and was why you noticed the hesitation she had before the turns. I really felt a difference in her turns as they felt more fluid and not so choppy. Thanks again for all the help!" – Evelyn P.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16958/

"It was great to visit with you for the video coaching… I started using the exercise you recommended for linking his hind end to his brain. We had an OUTSTANDING weekend and earned State Championships in both the Open 1D and the Masters (rider over 40), also in the 1D." – Michelle B.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:49:02+00:00

"It was great to visit with you for the video coaching… I started using the exercise you recommended for linking his hind end to his brain. We had an OUTSTANDING weekend and earned State Championships in both the Open 1D and the Masters (rider over 40), also in the 1D." – Michelle B.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16960/

"It was our best weekend ever! We had been having problems with getting by the first barrel in the big outdoor pens, and we cranked it every run… just wanted to say a big thank you for your help!" - Michelle B.

5.0

2018-12-28T12:49:44+00:00

"It was our best weekend ever! We had been having problems with getting by the first barrel in the big outdoor pens, and we cranked it every run… just wanted to say a big thank you for your help!" - Michelle B.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/16962/

You approach has helped our performance!

This is exactly what I needed!!! Thank you for sharing your incredible tips and expertise in such an approachable and passionate way. You approach has helped our performance!- Tara L.

5.0

2018-09-12T18:14:41+00:00

This is exactly what I needed!!! Thank you for sharing your incredible tips and expertise in such an approachable and passionate way. You approach has helped our performance! - Tara L.

"I am almost done with it, and I LOVE IT!!! I love the chapter on feel and awareness... your book was especially helpful. Someday, you will see me at the Nationals Finals, and you can sure bet who I will give credit to.”– Andriea K.

5.0

2018-10-01T12:21:51+00:00

"I am almost done with it, and I LOVE IT!!! I love the chapter on feel and awareness... your book was especially helpful. Someday, you will see me at the Nationals Finals, and you can sure bet who I will give credit to.” – Andriea K.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15786/

I light up every time I see a new email…

I light up every time I see a new email from you. I can't wait to put everything else a side, to hear about your discoveries and advice.- Destanie M.

5.0

2018-09-12T18:24:56+00:00

I light up every time I see a new email from you. I can't wait to put everything else a side, to hear about your discoveries and advice. - Destanie M.

“I just bought your book, and I must say after reading it three times I just still can’t put it down! This book has given me more to be positive about and it has gotten me farther than ever!"– Stephanie H.

5.0

2018-10-01T12:29:56+00:00

“I just bought your book, and I must say after reading it three times I just still can’t put it down! This book has given me more to be positive about and it has gotten me farther than ever!" – Stephanie H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15791/

Your emails have helped me a TON!

Your emails have helped me a TON!!! I always look forward to them... I can't wait for The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises!!!- Kelsi O.

5.0

2018-09-12T18:28:44+00:00

Your emails have helped me a TON!!! I always look forward to them... I can't wait for The First 51 Barrel Racing Exercises!!! - Kelsi O.

You put things back in perspective…

Thank you so much for all your inspiration it really does do wonders! Thank you so much for all your inspiration it really does do wonders! You really put things back in perspective when I need it. - Cherish H. when I need it.- Cherish H.

5.0

2018-09-12T18:39:50+00:00

Thank you so much for all your inspiration it really does do wonders! Thank you so much for all your inspiration it really does do wonders! You really put things back in perspective when I need it. - Cherish H. when I need it. - Cherish H.

"I just recently bought a copy of your book and I absolutely love it. Best thing I have invested in."- Ashlyn S.

5.0

2018-10-01T12:41:57+00:00

"I just recently bought a copy of your book and I absolutely love it. Best thing I have invested in." - Ashlyn S.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15813/

Smooth and fast… it REALLY helped.

I was having trouble on my 2nd barrel... I went out to run after reading through some tips and did great - smooth and fast... it REALLY helped. I am so happy we finally got the 2nd barrel down!- Rachel B.

5.0

2018-09-12T18:43:11+00:00

I was having trouble on my 2nd barrel... I went out to run after reading through some tips and did great - smooth and fast... it REALLY helped. I am so happy we finally got the 2nd barrel down! - Rachel B.

The exercises shaved a massive 2 seconds off…

We purchased your books and since using the exercises shaved a massive 2 seconds off... thank you... we are always looking for ways to support our daughter to achieve her goal of making it to the states.- Fiona H.

5.0

2018-09-12T18:46:02+00:00

We purchased your books and since using the exercises shaved a massive 2 seconds off... thank you... we are always looking for ways to support our daughter to achieve her goal of making it to the states. - Fiona H.

I had no idea…

I liked that the book talked about the unspoken things of horses... It really stimulated my thought process to think what's better for my horse than what's convenient for me. I had no idea...- Autumn W.

5.0

2018-07-31T00:50:16+00:00

I liked that the book talked about the unspoken things of horses... It really stimulated my thought process to think what's better for my horse than what's convenient for me. I had no idea... - Autumn W.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/i-had-no-idea-autumn-w/

Secrets book is awesome!

Just wanted to let you know that your Secrets book is awesome! It totally covers what no other book does - the true secrets to barrel racing success!- Jeana W.

5.0

2018-07-31T00:51:14+00:00

Just wanted to let you know that your Secrets book is awesome! It totally covers what no other book does - the true secrets to barrel racing success! - Jeana W.

The timing amazes me…

Two thumbs up!! Appreciate your tips as always and the timing amazes me... they always give me confidence I am on track or include that one little piece of valuable information that makes a huge difference!- Sandy H.

5.0

2018-09-12T18:54:49+00:00

Two thumbs up!! Appreciate your tips as always and the timing amazes me... they always give me confidence I am on track or include that one little piece of valuable information that makes a huge difference! - Sandy H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/the-timing-amazes-me/

“Finally, finally there is a top-notch guide for BOTH horse & rider! This book is well laid out and easy to use. HIGHLY recommend to any barrel racer wanting to up their game and get the best from yourself and your horse.”– Marsha H.

5.0

2018-10-01T12:58:46+00:00

“Finally, finally there is a top-notch guide for BOTH horse & rider! This book is well laid out and easy to use. HIGHLY recommend to any barrel racer wanting to up their game and get the best from yourself and your horse.” – Marsha H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15847/

Totally inspiring & exciting!

I just want to say again how exceptional the information you are sharing is! Your book is extremely profound and totally inspiring & exciting! Thank You!!! - Shawnee S.

5.0

2018-07-31T00:59:45+00:00

I just want to say again how exceptional the information you are sharing is! Your book is extremely profound and totally inspiring & exciting! Thank You!!! - Shawnee S.

She was so responsive!

There was no pulling, leaning on my hand or attempting to run past the barrel! She was so sooo responsive, thank you heaps for your help!- Ruby H.

5.0

2018-07-31T01:03:34+00:00

There was no pulling, leaning on my hand or attempting to run past the barrel! She was so sooo responsive, thank you heaps for your help! - Ruby H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/she-was-so-responsive/

"I have been relying on your book and look where it’s got me, I now have a horse running 1D times and have performed the best run I have ever done on her. She was so sooo responsive, thank you heaps for your help!” – Ruby H.

5.0

2018-10-01T17:58:24+00:00

"I have been relying on your book and look where it’s got me, I now have a horse running 1D times and have performed the best run I have ever done on her. She was so sooo responsive, thank you heaps for your help!” – Ruby H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15853/

I love what I’m learning!

I just want to say that what you are doing is AMAZING!! I absolutely love what I'm learning & it's already changing things so much for the better for myself & my horses!- Shawn S.

5.0

2018-07-31T01:05:28+00:00

I just want to say that what you are doing is AMAZING!! I absolutely love what I'm learning & it's already changing things so much for the better for myself & my horses! - Shawn S.

“I absolutely LOVED your book. I am so thankful for your insights... by reading your book I have been fast-forwarded. Thank you for your inspiration!” – Stephanie W.

5.0

2018-10-01T17:58:56+00:00

“I absolutely LOVED your book. I am so thankful for your insights... by reading your book I have been fast-forwarded. Thank you for your inspiration!” – Stephanie W.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15855/

Your articles helped me persevere.

I appreciate your web site and videos. I had started to lose the love I had for riding and your articles helped me persevere. I have been so thankful to find your site through all my soul searching.- Tracey J.

2018-07-31T01:08:19+00:00

I appreciate your web site and videos. I had started to lose the love I had for riding and your articles helped me persevere. I have been so thankful to find your site through all my soul searching. - Tracey J.

“I would like to commend you on bringing many concepts to the table that aren’t in any of the other books on our sport. It’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t think they need “another barrel racing book!!”– Sharyl N.

5.0

2018-10-01T17:59:36+00:00

“I would like to commend you on bringing many concepts to the table that aren’t in any of the other books on our sport. It’s perfect for anyone who doesn’t think they need “another barrel racing book!!” – Sharyl N.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15857/

These are secrets the professionals do not tell…

Your website and book gives the real information that we are all looking for... those little secrets that the professionals do not tell.- Pat B.

5.0

2018-07-31T01:10:29+00:00

Your website and book gives the real information that we are all looking for... those little secrets that the professionals do not tell. - Pat B.

I read all of them…

I look at every email that comes through from barrel racing tips, I read all of them and there's not one thing that I find that I have not learned something from.- Shannon

5.0

2018-07-31T01:14:06+00:00

I look at every email that comes through from barrel racing tips, I read all of them and there's not one thing that I find that I have not learned something from. - Shannon

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/i-read-all-of-them/

“I’ve been having trouble with my mare at increased speed... Your book has helped me and my mare so much, our turns are even more ‘snappy!’ Thank you for offering your time to all of us who dream of making that perfect run!!” – Lisa P.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:00:46+00:00

“I’ve been having trouble with my mare at increased speed... Your book has helped me and my mare so much, our turns are even more ‘snappy!’ Thank you for offering your time to all of us who dream of making that perfect run!!” – Lisa P.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15861/

This book helped me so much!

I just bought Secrets to Barrel Racing Success, and after reading it three times I just still can't put it down! This book has gotten me farther than ever and helped me so much!- Stephanie H.

5.0

2018-07-31T01:15:01+00:00

I just bought Secrets to Barrel Racing Success, and after reading it three times I just still can't put it down! This book has gotten me farther than ever and helped me so much! - Stephanie H.

“Your book gives the real information that we are all looking for. It is easy to understand and it is those little secrets that the professionals do not tell. You are really helping horses with people problems more than you can imagine.” – Pat B.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:01:18+00:00

“Your book gives the real information that we are all looking for. It is easy to understand and it is those little secrets that the professionals do not tell. You are really helping horses with people problems more than you can imagine.” – Pat B.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15863/

Your information has been extremely helpful.

I check out your site regularly and have printed many articles to add to my barrel bible. Your information has been extremely helpful, clear and easy to understand.- Kim O.

5.0

2018-07-31T01:16:35+00:00

I check out your site regularly and have printed many articles to add to my barrel bible. Your information has been extremely helpful, clear and easy to understand. - Kim O.

“…these exercises have helped my horse become more responsive and flexible. I also appreciate the exercises for the rider... Thanks for being so thorough and breaking it all down! Love the patterns and pictures.”– Susan D.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:02:08+00:00

“…these exercises have helped my horse become more responsive and flexible. I also appreciate the exercises for the rider... Thanks for being so thorough and breaking it all down! Love the patterns and pictures.” – Susan D.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15865/

Thank you for all your helpful tips!

Thank you for writing that wonderful book and for all your helpful tips. I have learned so much from them and will continue to use them as resources!- Amy S.

5.0

2018-07-31T01:18:22+00:00

Thank you for writing that wonderful book and for all your helpful tips. I have learned so much from them and will continue to use them as resources! - Amy S.

It worked like a charm!

He was especially having problems with his first barrel (not rating), so I came to your website, found an article, and it worked like a charm! Thanks again, Heather.- Ellie J.

5.0

2018-07-31T01:20:58+00:00

He was especially having problems with his first barrel (not rating), so I came to your website, found an article, and it worked like a charm! Thanks again, Heather. - Ellie J.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/it-worked-like-a-charm/

“…very motivating and unlike anything I have ever come across! ...such a breath of fresh air! I am definitely not the same person, I have much more wisdom and appreciation now.” – Shilah H.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:03:05+00:00

“…very motivating and unlike anything I have ever come across! ...such a breath of fresh air! I am definitely not the same person, I have much more wisdom and appreciation now.” – Shilah H.

https://www.barrelracingtips.com/testimonials/15869/

“Heather, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting this material together. It inspires me to keep going. I am so grateful you were willing to compile this information. Thank you again.”– Anna E.

5.0

2018-10-01T18:03:32+00:00

“Heather, I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting this material together. It inspires me to keep going. I am so grateful you were willing to compile this information. Thank you again.” – Anna E.